Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-24
DIR HARRIS REPLIES.
The state Coard of Health Controversy.
Dr. Gsrrison's Charges.

The state Coard of Health Controversy.
Dr. Gsrrison's Charges.
To he Editor Of the Register.
PAREERsBURG, W. VA, November %
My attention has been called to an article
in your paper of the Pisa, from the pen OF
G.. l. Garrison, Member of the State
Board of Health for the First Congressional
District, " rejecting on the State Board of
Health and on me in particular. Whilst
do not desire to enter into newspaper con-
trOyersy, feel that it is due to myself and
the State Board, whose executive officer |
am, to reply to certain structures contained
in said letter. | wish distinctly to dis
ayow any intention to assume the powers
of the State Board; | only claim an ear
nest desire to carry out the mandates and
wishes of the Board, so far rs known TO
me, and to advance its efficiency and use.
fulness for the purposes for which it was
organized. In the matter charged that |
appoint the County Boards OF HEALTH"
when became member OF the
Board | found the former efficient
Secretary tDr. James F.. Reeyesl issuing
cards as certificates of appointment to the
nominees OF the different County Courts,
this he WAS doing in the name of State
Board, and as / understood, with the con-
sent and under the authority OF the Board;
when became Secretary | continued this
practice, using the same cards.
Now the County Courts make their NOM
nations not at any regular time, but in
almost every month in the year, only do
ing so in many instances after urgent and
repeated solicitation from the Secretary of
the State Board. Under these circum-
stances it is inevitable that their nominal
tons shall lie over until a regular meeting
OF the State Board, or that the State Board
shall be in almost constant session at great
expense to the State and Inconvenience to
themselves, or that some one shall he d.
rected to perform this duty. The county
Boards as constituted by law consist of three
Intelligent and discreet persons residing in
the county, two Of whom shall be citizens
and one physician, qualified to practice
medicine, " and they, with the president
of the county court and the prosecuting
attorney of the county, constitute q local
board for the county OF their residence"
The county courts make the domination
tor their own boards, and thsy may surely
be supposed TO know whom they desire.
Such nominations are Universally appoint
ed unless there shoul1 he some known real
objection thereto, The act is merely per-
tunctory. 1t would he presumption in
the State Booird to do other than to con-
hrm such Nominations. As | have said
this haS been the usage and practice ever
sl9e55 have had any connection with the
Board.
never questioned the prOpriety Of the
course pursued in this matter by DIR.
Reeves and followed it. The interest of
DIR. Reeves in this law | think
will be questioned by no
one, and he was as familiar
with the law, all its purposes and bearings
~ any one, he having been, if not its
father, at least present ut its birth. When
the Board met in Charleston, in July, DIR.
G.. was present and had ample opportunity
to make his scruples known, without
striving in this way TO befoul his own nest.
In this matter il am guilty of wrong,
the Board which has heretofore approved
my course, is equally so. As to the regis
tration law need hardly say anything in
defense of complete system of registra-
ton its Importance and value is known oall
who have given the matter thought. The
regulations for carrying it into effect are
not original with me, but are copied from
those suggested by other State Boards, and
which are in use in other States. In con-
clusion, will say that the reason assigned
By the member of the State Board Of
Health for the First Congressional dis
trict" for calling q meeting of the State
Board is not the same as that given by him
in q letter to me when he said he would
like to kick himself for having seconded
Bakers motion in Charleston" 1t is
clear to me that there is an Interior motive
for this late piety. 7. A. HARRIS,
Secretary State Board of Health.